How to Get Rid of Pimples on Your Chest

Breakouts are one of the great biological injustices. They can be caused by a laundry list of factors: stress, hormones, diet, existing. Most of us have dealt with breakouts on our faces at some point in our lives (and if you haven’t, then I hate you). But what do you do when you notice zits on your chest, besides scream “WTF” in the mirror? Turns out, chest acne is common among all of us, and is usually caused by things that we generally agree are good for use (like exercise). So what do you do to get rid of it?

According to dermatologist Terrence Keaney, M.D., the first step is understanding that those pimples are probably not actually acne. “True, chest acne is common in teenagers when there is an influx of sex hormones during puberty,” he says. “Usually acne goes away by age 25 for men.” What you’re seeing on your chest is actually called folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. “Folliculitis is a relationship between sweating, bacteria and the body’s inflammatory response,” says Dr. Keaney. Which means that more sweat leads to more bacteria which leads to inflammation which leads to pimples. So while those zits may look like the kind you’re used to seeing on your face, the underlying cause is likely different.

Since folliculitis is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, the first step is controlling it. “Use cleansers that minimize the growth of that bacteria,” says Dr. Keaney. He recommends Hibiclens, which is what surgeons use to wash up before surgery. “It’s broad spectrum and so effective that you don’t have to use it every day,” he says.

The downside of antibacterial washes is that they can be drying. Dr. Keaney suggests alternating the use of an antibacterial wash with a gentle, moisturizing wash to make sure your skin is well-hydrated. “People think they have to be overly aggressive with washing, but it’s a balance between reducing bacteria and drying out the skin,” he says.

A body wash that contains charcoal can help as well. “Charcoal can have an anti-inflammatory property and can help soak up sweat and oil that feed the bacteria,” says Dr. Keaney. It can also be drying to the skin, though, so be careful to choose one that also contains moisturizing ingredients especially if combining it with an antibacterial wash.

Folliculitis on the chest is commonly found on active guys since the bacteria that causes it feed off of sweat. “Wear clothing like a breathable shirt that allows for passage of air,” says Dr. Keaney, especially when you’re working out. “You want to allow some of the sweat to evaporate so it’s not just sitting on the skin.”

“Always shower off after you work out so you’re not walking around with a sweaty chest all day,” says Dr. Keaney. But if you’re in a rush, at least use a cleansing wipe to control sweat buildup until you can take a real shower.

Since chest pimples aren’t usually true acne, you can use a spot treatment, just not the same ones you use on your face. Avoid drying ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and instead opt for a hydrocortisone cream. “Drying agents can irritate folliculitis more and make it more red,” says Dr. Keaney. “You want to calm it down and address the inflammation instead.”

“If you have a lot of chest breakouts, hold off on shaving or waxing your chest,” says Dr. Keaney. Both can cause irritation on the skin that can make inflammation worse. Instead try using an electric clipper to trim your hair instead of shaving it.

If you insist on shaving, Dr. Keaney advises to always do it in or right after a shower, when hair is softest and easiest to cut, and never use a multi-blade razor. Instead opt for a single blade or electric razor.

Use a gentle, non-comedogenic body moisturizer (meaning that it won’t clog pores and cause bumps). It’s especially important if you are still manscaping, since “a moisturizer can help cover and heal the microfissures in the skin that can occur when shaving,” says Dr. Keaney.

If your chest breakouts are in fact acne, like if you’re under 25 and struggling with acne breakouts on other parts of your body, the same ingredients (like retinoids) that work on your face can work on your body. It actually might be even better on your chest. “The chest, shoulders and back are less prone to irritation than the face,” says Dr. Keaney. “Retinoids can be drying on the face but very effective on the body to help with true acne breakouts.”

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